First time in Cape Town: where to start
Whether you're new to all of this or just new to Cape Town, the order is the same: a munch, then a class, then a party when you're ready. Here is each step with the real places and their next dates.
Go to a munch. Nothing needed.
A clothes-on social in a public place. Turn up, buy a drink, say it's your first time. This is where you find out what's actually on, and who runs it well.
Take a class. Drop-ins are normal.
Rope and skills studios are used to strangers and sell single-class tickets online. A beginners' class is the easiest first evening, and the people in it are at your stage.
- see siteEmbodiment Rope SpaceSalt River, Cape Town · says newcomers welcome
A rope bondage (shibari) studio in Salt River, founded in 2021, that teaches with a focus on safety, communication and consent. It runs weekly rope jams, beginner and intermediate workshops, queer-only jams and talks…
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
A party, when you're ready. Start this early.
Most parties want a membership, an orientation or a vetting chat booked days or weeks ahead, and many sell out. Read each one's rules on their own site, and go to your first with no plan to play.
- see siteCasa KinkMontague Gardens, Cape Town · membership, orientation or vetting first
Casa Kink has run a consent-led kink space in Cape Town since 2015, with a 300 sqm dungeon in Montague Gardens that hosts socials, workshops, rope jams and play events. There is a check-in and orientation on arrival,…
Their site ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Before you go
- Munches need nothing
- A munch is a clothes-on social in a public place. Turn up, buy a drink, say you're visiting. It is the fastest way to find out what's actually on that week.
- Parties need lead time
- Most play parties want a membership, an orientation or a vetting chat booked days or weeks ahead, and many sell out. Start that before you travel, not after you land.
- Dress codes are real
- Fetish club nights turn people away at the door for ordinary clothes. Read the code on the event page and pack for it.
- Classes welcome drop-ins
- Rope and skills studios are used to visitors and usually sell single-class tickets online. A beginners' class is the easiest first night in a new city.